A native of Erie, PA, Dave Grzelak earned an industrial engineering degree from Penn State University before joining General Electric Transportation Systems in 1971. he later earned an M.B.A. from Gannon University while working his way up the G.E. ladder. His last G.E. assignment was as manager, off-highway vehicles, where one of his customers was Komatsu.

Dave joined Komatsu in 1991 as Vice President of Sales. He held positions of increasing responsibility, eventually becoming President and COO in 1997, Chief Executive Officer in 1998, Chairman and CEO in 1999 and Chairman and CEO of Komatsu Mining Systems in 2000.

In 2002, Komatsu combined 5 companies in North America and Dave was appointed Chairman and CEO of the new Komatsu America Corp. As such, he has management responsibility of all U.S. Komatsu operations related to the construction, utility, and mining trucks worldwide.

In 2006, Dave was elected a Director for Alamo Group and a member of the Audit Committee.